5 reasons why New Zealand can be a tougher opponent than Australia

India dominated Australia in the ODIs and the T20I series ended in a draw. Although the matches were closer than the scorelines suggested, India looked a much better and settled side more often than not. Some pundits also declared this Australian team to be the weakest ever to visit Indian shores.

India have looked almost unbeatable at home. Even though the matches went close and India found themselves in trouble quite a few times, there were at least a couple of players who put up their hand and saw the team through. Winning matches from tough situations is the hallmark of a world-class team.

It would be an extremely daunting task for NZ to stop the Indian juggernaut. Although a series defeat for India looks unlikely, here are 5 reasons why NZ can be tougher than Australia to beat.

#5 Short series of three matches

The ODI and T20I series comprise of only three matches each. Short series can become a close one in case India end up having a bad day early on. Generally, three-match ODI series are more competitive as teams come out with full strength, with every match having a context behind it.

Early momentum would play a large role for the team who wins the series. It would be difficult for either team to come back from a 0-1 deficit and win the remaining two matches. Even if the first two matches go India's way (or NZ's way, for that matter), the last match still has something to play for with a series whitewash on the line.

We can expect the NZ team to come out all guns blazing as it would take only one match to turn the series on its head.

#4 Better experience of Indian conditions

The NZ team had a much longer tour of India just about a year ago

Although it can be argued that the Australian side had enough experience of playing in India courtesy the IPL, they were relatively inexperienced at the international level.

The NZ team had a much longer tour of India just about a year ago, playing both Tests and ODIs. Moreover, players like Williamson, Southee, Guptill, Taylor, Boult etc have been regular features in the IPL.

Also, apart from the IPL, several NZ players have played in India on 'A' tours. Importantly, six of the players in the NZ 'A' squad have been selected for the senior team's tour as well.

With recent experience on their side and having watched the Australian series up-close, the Kiwis would know how to adapt their game to challenge India on their home turf.

#3 Stable batting order

Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor

The Australian side's batting problems haunted them till the end of their tour. With too much reliance on the top three, Australian middle order looked a pale shadow of what it was during the days of Mike Hussey and Micheal Clarke.

The NZ side, although without big names, are much stronger in the batting department. Martin Guptill will take the responsibility up the order, with Colin Munro being touted as the second opener. Both are big-hitters and can make the best use of the field restrictions in the first 10 overs.

The Kiwi middle order looks stronger with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor holding fort. Williamson is already one of the best batsmen in modern day cricket and Taylor has been a rock for NZ for almost a decade now.

With the likes of Tom Lathan, Mitchell Santner and Colin de Grandhomme to follow, NZ have a long batting lineup but lack a power-hitter like Corey Anderson late in the innings.

However, that can be dealt with if they have at least one of Guptill, Williamson, Taylor or Latham staying until the end.

#2 Better spinners than Australia

Sodhi (only a part of the NZ T20I team) and Santner's performance would be crucial

The Kiwis seem to have done their homework as their squad has a leg-spinner in Todd Astle and a quality left-arm spinner in Mitchell Santner.

Santner played in the last NZ tour of India and gained valuable experience, playing in both the Tests and ODIs. He also ran through the Indian batting order along with Ish Sodhi, who is a part of the T20I team, on a turning track at Nagpur during the last World T20.

Todd Astle can be a handy attacking option for the Black Caps as well, given the fact that batsmen all over the world are having a tough time reading the wrist-spinners properly in limited overs cricket.

Though he lacks international experience, he has played a fair share of First-Class and List A cricket. He was also a part of the NZ 'A' team on their tour to India.

#1 Full strength bowling attack

Boult and Southee are among the best new-ball pairs in the world

Tim Southee and Trent Boult have been spearheading the Kiwis' pace battery together for almost four years now and form one of the best new-ball pairs in the world, in all formats. With quality pace and swing up their sleeves, they would provide a tough challenge to the Indian top three.

Boult, being a left-arm pacer, can cause a lot of trouble to the Indian batsmen because of his natural angle, which allows the ball to come into the right-hander. India's weakness against left-arm pacers has been repeatedly exposed, recently against Behrendorff, and also against Mohammad Amir in the Champions Trophy final.

More importantly, the Kiwis' pace bowling arsenal is not made up of only two names. They have quality bowlers in Adam Milne and Matt Henry as well. Matt Henry, especially, troubled the Indians a lot on NZ's last India tour.

With a settled, well balanced, full strength and experienced side in a short series, New Zealand might just be the team which can upset India at home. Even if they don't, one can rely on them to give India a much tougher fight.